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Planning a safari trip to Botswana? Excellent choice!. These are the best and most practical Botswana safari travel tips that every traveller will find very useful, ensuring they have a great time on their Botswana holiday.
Planning an African safari is a dream for many, and if you have chosen Botswana as your safari destination, you have made an excellent choice. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Like any savvy traveller, you are probably doing the research to make sure you have everything covered. In this article, I am sharing the best Botswana safari travel tips and some insider tips.
You’re going to learn about Botswana safari best time to go, what to include in your Botswana safari packing list, Botswana safari travel tips and more.
After learning about these tips, you will be ready to go on the safari of your lifetime and have a fantastic time in Botswana.
This post is all bout Botswana safari travel tips.
Top Botswana safari travel tips
1. Research about the country
If you are visiting a country for the first time, in this case, Botswana. Do a little bit of research; it doesn’t have to be in-depth. Make sure you know the general information about the country. For example, know Botswana currency, the language spoken, you can even learn a few words beforehand. The locals will love that. Additionally, understand how the healthcare system and insurance work. This will make your journey so much easier and you will prepare better. Here is some helpful information on this point,
Botswana currency: Botswana uses the Botswana pula, denoted as BWP.
Accepted currency for purchases: The Botswana pula (BWP) is the main currency used for purchases. However, the US dollar is also accepted in some establishments, especially safari camps and lodges.
Language spoken: The Main languages in Botswana are Setswana and English.
Botswana capital: Gaborone is the capital city of Botswana
2.Best time to go to Botswana
Although Botswana safaris are all year round, I think you should be strategic about when you visit so you can get the most out of your safari trip. Some months are better than others when it comes to wildlife viewing. I suggest you visit during the dry season, although pricey, you will have the best wildlife viewing opportunities, plus the weather is excellent.
3. Botswana tipping
You are not expected to tip in Botswana. No one will wonder why you didn’t tip if you decide not to. However, if you do decide to tip, it will be greatly appreciated. To make it easier for staff, I suggest you tip at the end of your stay. On average, guests will tip around $10. Something to keep in mind, some high-end lodges include gratuities in the bill, so consider asking before tipping.
4. Bring a camera
If you can, I highly recommend bringing a camera. That was one of my mistakes when I went on my first safari. I wish I had brought a camera. Your pictures will look so much nicer with a camera, especially since we have to keep our distance from the animals.
5. Go beyond the safari
People often ask me, what to do in Botswana besides safari? Well, there are plenty of of things to do in Botswana while on your safari, For instance, international travellers who arrive in Gaborone Botswana, spend a day or two before heading up north for their safari and explore the city. Here is a list of things you can do while in Gaborone,
Botswana safari travel tips: What to do in Gaborone
- Visit Main Mall
- Have dinner at Room50two. Go in the afternoon and watch the sunset. It is beautiful.
- Have lunch at Mokolodi restaurant and visit Mokolodi Nature Reserve Botswana. It is about 15km outside Gaborone.
- Spend some time at Masa Square. It is a CBD area with numerous restaurants and nice amenities.
From Gaborone, on your way to your safari, you will either pass through Kasane or Maun.
What to do in Maun
- Visit the Duck cafe and Dusty donkey cafe
- Go for Thamo telele horseback safari. I know, it’s more safari related, but hey, you’ll love it
- Try the local beer at Okavango Craft Brewery
What to do in Kasane
Kasane is a safari destination in its own right, the home of Chobe National Park. So, you’ll be doing safari “things” in Kasane.
6. Print out a copy of your important documents
Botswana is heavily dependent on hard copies when it comes to handling important documents. Additionally, in some areas of the country, Wi-Fi is not available at all. Have a hard copy of essential documents, such as your travel insurance, health documents, emergency contact information, and, of course, your passport and visa.
7. Give comprehensive information to your tour operator or safari lodge
When booking your safari, you will be sent a form to fill out, and that includes special requests and so on. I encourage you to be thorough when filling this form. This includes any special dietary requirements, health conditions that you feel the safari staff needs to know about, mobility issues, and whether you are travelling with kids. This information is essential to the staff because, due to the remote access of the safari lodges, they need to prepare in advance. Certain things cannot be accessed at the last minute.
8. Botswana safari travel tips: Travel light
Do not overpack! It is so easy to overpack, especially when you are visiting a foreign country for the first time, because you don’t know what to expect. However, that can be stressful than helpful. So, pack multipurpose items and avoid packing duplicates. Also, remember to check the luggage weight limit in advance. Some safari charter flights have a strict luggage weight limit, typically around 15kg.
9. Botswana safari travel tips: Pack suitable safari clothes
Pack comfortable, breathable clothes in neutral colours. This is not a strict rule, but rather a guideline to help make your safari experience easier and more comfortable. Colourful clothing attracts tsetse flies and other bugs. Oh, don’t forget to pack a jacket even in summer. This is because you can have hot days, followed by cold nights.
10. Take your anti-malaria medication in advance
You might be wondering, Do I need malaria tablets for Botswana? The answer is absolutely yes. Malaria is an infectious disease spread by mosquitoes found in particular countries and Botswana is one of those countries. It is recommended that you start taking your medication 2 days before entering a malaria-risk country, and a few days after your trip. I recommend you see your doctor for professional advice.
11. Botswana yellow fever requirements
Botswana is not a yellow fever risk country; however, if you are travelling from countries with a risk of yellow fever, you are required to present a yellow fever certificate. In addition, if you are transiting for more than 12 hours through a yellow fever risk country, you will also be required to have a yellow fever certificate. I always recommend getting a yellow fever vaccination, because you only have to do that once; the certificate is valid for life.
12. Botswana safari travel tips: Travel Insurance
Take comprehensive travel insurance. Botswana safari companies I have used explicitly state that it is a condition of travel that guests must have travel insurance to cover cancellation, baggage loss, flight delays, and medical expenses.
13. Don’t forget your safari essentials
Besides the obvious ones like a camera and binoculars, safari travellers easily forget these safari essential. Think small first aid aid, anti-sickness tablets, anti-motility tablets, pain-relief tablets. Have them just in case!
